The identification of high risk knee bleeds in adolescents with severe haemophilia A.
One hundred and thirty-seven knee bleeds treated with an initial dose of 11-16 units of factor VIII/kg have been reviewed in an attempt to find the predictive factors for bleeds requiring retransfusion. Thirty-two bleeds (23.4%) were retransfused within 48 hours because of extension of bleeding or poor progress. Fifty-nine per cent of bleeds which were retransfused presented with pain and 72% were tender at presentation. These figures contrasted with those for bleeds which were not retransfused of 30% and 45%. The difference in each case is significant. Forty-seven per cent of retransfused bleeds presented with less than 50% of normal movement against 12% who were not retransfused. This difference was also highly significant. It is suggested that knee bleeds presenting with pain, tenderness and/or more than 50% restriction of movement should be considered for higher initial doses of factor VIII.
D000293:Adolescent; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006395:Hemarthrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk
D005169:Factor VIII